MINSK -- The Belarusian Investigative Committee says the house arrest of the general director of Russian potash producer Uralkali has been extended until the end of December.

Vladislav Baumgertner, a Russian citizen, is being held under house arrest in Minsk on charges of embezzlement.

He was arrested in August.

In July, Uralkali pulled out of a joint venture with a Belarusian potash firm, causing a row between Russia and Belarus.

Russia's Investigative Committee has said it would seek the extradition of Baumgertner, who has been charged in absentia in Russia with abuse of power.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said Baumgertner can be extradited to Russia only if Minsk is reimbursed for the damage inflicted on the Belarusian economy by Baumgertner's "illegal activities."

Lukashenka estimated those damages at $100 million.

With reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti

In a country that has been referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship," RFE/RL's Radio Svaboda is one of the leading news websites and one of the few media outlets accessible to Belarusians in their own language.